Essential oils are volatile, aromatic substances that can be extracted from seeds, stems, barks and leaves, flowers, and plant roots. They are known to be highly beneficial for human health, but whether or not essential oils should be used for pets is a question that needs to be deliberated on. Essential oils are especially harmful to pets if you plan on using the oils in a concentrated form. Among pets, birds are at greater risk than cats and dogs when it comes to harm from exposure to essential oils.

Here are a few need to know essential oil facts when it comes to pets:

1. The effects of exposure to essential oils for pets

When you use essential oils, pets can be harmed if their skin comes in contact with them. In such a situation, it may lead to poisoning. There are even occasions when the pets ingest these oils by mistake. This is a rare occurrence, but the risk cannot be ruled out. This is why as pet owners, you must be very careful when you use 100% essential oils in your house.

2. How can you keep pets safe from essential oils?

In case you need to diffuse the oil, you should do so only for a limited period, and that too in a room that is secure from pets. Store them in places that the pet cannot reach. Tea tree oil is highly toxic for both children and young pets. Sometimes, it can be used to treat skin infections in dogs, but it should never be used on a cat. The reason is that tea tree oil is metabolized by the liver, and the cat’s liver lacks the enzymes needed for this. Incidentally, if you use tea tree oil on your dog and your cat comes into contact with it, it can fall sick. When applying essential oils on your canine, you must only do so after taking advice from your vet. The veterinarian must be informed in case you also have other pets.

3. Symptoms of poisoning from essential oils

The most common symptoms of essential oil poisoning in pets are lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea, drooling and wobbliness, tremors, weakness, and erratic behavior. The severity of the condition will also depend largely on the species, age, and weight of the pet. So, if your pet is very small or young, it is likely to feel the effects more severely. Also, if your pet already has liver disease, the symptoms can be worse.

4. What should you do when pet toxicity occurs?

In the case of essential oil poisoning in pets, you must not panic; rather, you should call your vet right away. It is never wise to treat your pet topically or orally with any oil concentration unless you have been advised to do so by the vet. Short-term exposure is usually not dangerous for a pet. However, if you feel that your pet has been exposed to the oil for some time, you must continue to monitor it for symptoms. When you notice any negative reaction, you should immediately take it to the vet.